Oil burner



Sept. 1, 1936. U UDESEN' 2,052,954'

` OIL BURNER Filed pril '5, 1933 k2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fw' U. P. UDESE'N OIL BURNER Sept. 1936.

Filed April e, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. I, 1936 NETE STATES PATENT oFEiEE This invention relates tol liquid fuel burning apparatus and while particularly adapted in oil burner construction for use with a furnace, it is also applicable to other heating apparatus where liquid fuel is utilized.

It is an object of my presentinvention to provide simplified and highly ecient liquid fuel burning apparatus which may be manufactured at relatively low cost, which does not require oil pumps and air blowersand which, nevertheless,

produces a more eflicient atomization of the liquid fuel and a more efcient mixture ofthe atomized fuel and the combustion-supporting gas.

A further object is to provide an oil burner which will produce a more eicient and consequently more economical combustion of fuel and which, through its inherent structure, may successfully utilize the cheaper hydro-carbon fuels. 1n many burners now extensively used, liquid 2g fuel is discharged through a minute orifice in the nozzle under pressure produced by an oil pump. i A relatively large quantity of air is discharged in an annular stream surrounding said orice. Mixture of the air and fuel does not take place 2g at the end of the nozzle and consequently ignition and combustion begins several inches away.

from the burner with the result that combustion of the fuel is far from complete in the fire pot or combustion chamber of the furnace. Furthera@ more, due to the substantial pressure placed upon the liquid fuel, a very fine orice must be utilized and consequently the nozzle will be obstructed by the use of the heavier and cheaper fuels, and, in most gun type burners, it is im- 35 possible tov successfully utilize the cheap undistilled fuels.

With my construction, no pressure is placed upon the fuel but the fuel is induced by suction created by a jet of air under pressure which is u directed at an angle to the fuel nozzle on the principle of an atomizer. A relatively large ori.- iice for the fuel nozzle can consequently be uti,- lized and there is a very thorough mixture of fuel and air at the discharge end of the fuel 4g, nozzle as well as a complete atomization of the liquid fuel.

Another and more specific object is the provision of oil burning apparatus wherein the ilow of fuel is induced and atomized by the discharge 5g of a. small jet of air under pressure and wherein a uniform ow of said fuel is obtained through the cooperation of said induction and a feed controllingY mechanism operating on the vacuum tank principle.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the @accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the various views, and in which:- 5

Fig. 1 is an assembly view showing a form of my apparatus applied to a conventional type of furnace;

Fig. 2 is a view partly in Vertical section showing the burner proper applied in an opening in l0 one of the furnace walls;

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken approximately on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and showing the cross head which provides passages for air, liquid fuel and gas for supplying the starter or pilot light; 15

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken through the cross head and showing the hand operated Valve for regulating the flow of liquid fuel;

Fig. 5 is a detail section showing a suitable starter or pilot light construction, associated go with the outer portion of the fuel induction adjacent the nozzle;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section showing the construction of the feed controlling mechanism which acts on the vacuum tank principle;

Fig. '7 is a cross section taken approximately on the line 'I-T of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a detail view showing the pressure actuated valve at the lower end of the tank.

As shown in the drawings the oil burner proper of my apparatus is mounted in a suitable aperture provided in the door D of a conventional furnace F. It will, of course, be understood that the burner may be mounted in a suitable manner in any of the other walls of a furnace or upon A any suitable support disposed within the lower portion of a furnace.

My burner proper includes, as shown, a tubular truncated conical casing or nose I5 which extends inwardly of the furnace and is provided with an out-turned attachment ange I5a which may be secured to the furnace Wall or door. Casing I5, as will later be explained, forms a relative- 1y large air duct which tapers from its outer to its` inner end. A nozzle carrying member I6 45 which, as shown, is in the form of a casting, is attached to the outer end of casing I5, said inember as shown comprising a hollow open-ended truncated conical shell which carries internally at its inner end a cross head Il which may be integrally cast with the shell. A very small fuel conduit I8 is connected with and supported by the center of cross head Il, extending longitudinally through the nose or casing I5 and terminating in a somewhat downwardly inclined nozzley 5.5i

I8a which is disposed exteriorly of the nose l5, and substantially at the axial center thereof. One of the horizontal arms of the cross head I'I is tapped to form a fuel passage I'IaV communicating with the attached end of conduit I8 and this passage is connected by suitable fittings with an oil line I9. Directly below the fuel conduit I8 and secured to the lower vertical arm of cross head I1 is a small air conduit 2G extending lon-Y head I'I is tapped to form a short air passage IIb in communication with the attached end of air conduit 20. This passage is connected by suitable ttings'with an air supply pipe'2 I. Suitable starting or igniting mechanism is provided adjacent the nozzles I8a and 20a and as shown l provide a small gas burner comprising a conduit 22 secured to and supported from the upper vertical arm of the cross head I1 and extending longitudinally within nose or casing I5 and having attached to its outer end a tubular burner member 23 terminating in a downwardly directed nozzle 23a which is disposed in juxtaposition to the fuel nozzle I8a. The end of conduit 22 is longitudinally ribbed or recessed at 22a'to aord a Bunsen burner effect in supplying air by induction and has a restricted portr22b through which gas is discharged within the tubular burner member 23. Burner member 23 may be provided with one or more air intake ports 23h to permit entrance of additional combustionsupporting gaseous medium such as airk therewithin. The upper vertical arm of cross head Il is'tapped to form a gas passage I 'Ic in communication with the secured end of conduit 22 and a gas line 24 is con- Y nected bysuitable fittings with said passage I'Ic. Y The truncated conical shell I6 constituting the outer portion of the burner casingY is provided at itsouter end with a series of relatively deep',l air Y extending shutters 25a. of approximately the' width of air entrance recesses Ia, which as clearly shown in Fig. 2,.are adapted to adjustably cooperate with the recessed portions of the shell to vary the air entrance area. The circumferentially spaced shutters of cap member 25 engage the peripheral wall of shell I5 and enable ytlhe cap to be oscillated relatively to the shell. The center of the cross head Il at the rear thereof is tapped to form a valve chamber IIdjextending axially of nose I5' and shell I6 and provided with a suitable valve seat (see Fig. 4) A needle valve 26 is mounted in said chamber, said valve having its stem screw threaded in a sleeve 2l and'said stem is projected axially of shell I5 through a central aperture formed in the cap 25. knob 26a is attached to the outer end ofthe valve stem and a coiled compression spring 28r is interposed between said knob and cap 25 to yieldingly hold the cap inwardly against the shell I6.

The flow of fuel through conduit I8 and nozzle I8a is induced by the discharge of compressed air from the air nozzle 20a, no pump or other fuel circulating means being provided. To as` sure a uniform flow of fuel regardless of the discharge of fuel when the burner is not in oper- A knurled Y ation or when the discharge of compressed air is arrested, I provide an efficient feed controlling mechanism as shown in Figs. 6 to 8. Said mechanism comprises a small cylindrical tank 35' which may be mounted on a suitable support 3l and which is closed at its upper end by a cap 32, shown in the form of a casting. VCap 32 includes a horizontal enlargement 32a aording'a radial`V passage communicating with an axially disposed valve chamber 32h Which is in communication'V with the interior of tank 30 Ythrough ya nipple Y33. Nipple 33 has an axial port 33a at its upper end which communicates with a series of radial discharge ports 33D (see Figs. 6 and '7). The passage within enlargement 32a is connected withY the liquid fuel supply tank T by alpipe line 34.

A ball Valve 35 is mounted ,within valve chamberV its seat by the Vmagnetic flux created in core 3mi A fioat 39 'is mounted within tankSl and 'rigidly carries an up-standing stern Vlll!) terminating Y in a needle valve 40a which is dispos-edV axially off nipple 33 and seats against an annular shoulder in the port 33a, said seat being disposed above Y the radial discharge ports 33h. A breather tube' 4I is secured to cap 32 to provide a passage between the interior of the tank 30 and the atmosphere' surrounding the tank 30. A valve equipped discharge passage 35a is formed preferably axially of the bottom of tank 30 .and communicates with arshallow chamber 52 which'un- Vderlies'the tank. The bottom of chamber 42 is' defined by a diaphragm I3Y sealedatY its edges'V againstA a suitable annular shoulder provided in' a casting or other member 44.' .Member 45 is constructed to form an enlarged'passage or Ycham'- berV 44a through which compressed air passes: Y

for supplying air nozzle 20a Yof the burner.

A ball valve Vi5 is adapted to engage an an'rgulari seat formed in discharge passage 36a and 'as' shown said valve is connected with the end of a leaf spring 45a which normallyurges the valve against its seat. Diaphragm 43 is provided with an'upstanding stud 43a 'which Vextends through the lower portion of passage 35a and is adapted to engage and lift ball valve 45 when pressure from. the' under side of the diaphragm is alcove` a predetermined degree.` Y Y The shallow chamber 42 disposed below tank 30 communicates with a vertically disposed seg-l mental-shaped chamber d6. disposed at onelside of the tank and extending substantially the full height of the tank. Thetank and ychamberrlIIi may be conveniently formed by an integral cast;V Y Y line I9 which supplies fuelV nozzle IlleV of the Y burner. Y.

The magnetic coil 3l is'connected through a' heat regulating mechanism, such as the room thermostat R, to a source of electrical energy, such as the battery B, by means of wires 3lband 31e, as shown.

s reservoir with the diaphragm chamber 44a of the casting 44.

lThe electric motor M is connected through wires 86 to the Wires 31h so as to be energized and de-energized coincidentally with the magnetic coil 3l Ain response to operation of the thermostat R, whereby the valve 35 for controlling the iowV of fuel into the tank 30 will be opened and closed as the motor M is respectively started and stopped.

Operation With the apparatus operatively assembled as shown in Fig. l, the motor M will be started and the ball valve 35 lifted by the electro-magnet when heat is needed. Air is then compressed by the compressor unit and is discharged through the small air nozzle a of the burner, inducing a ow of the liquid fuel from the chamber 46 of the fuel controlling mechanism through the small fuel nozzle |80., thoroughly atomizing the induced fuel and mixing air therewith. The flame from the starting burner 23 ignites the combustible mixture and a very hot flame is produced in my burner construction and is projected substantially axially from the nose or casing l5. 'Ihe amount of fuel induced may be regulated by the needle valve 26.

It will be noted that where a starting burner of the type illustrated is utilized the heat from the heat-conductive burner member 23 will be transmitted to the outer portion of the fuel conduit i8, serving to vaporize to some extent the fuel before it is atomized and ignited.

The natural draft of the furnace assisted materially by the inductive effect from the discharge of nozzle 26a produces a strong flow of combustion supporting air through the shell I6 and nose i5. This incoming air surrounds the fuel atomizer and materially aids the combustion, mixing with the finely atomized liquid particles of fuel. This air supply may be regulated by oscillating cap on shell I6 to vary the size of the air intake recesses I6a..

With reference tothe operation of the feed controlling mechanism shown in Figs. 6 to 8, it will be seen that no fuel can enter tank 30 until ball has been lifted by the magnetic coil. It will further be seen that the float 39 maintains a substantially constant level of fuel in the tank 30. The diaphragm actuated valve 45 prevents passage of fuel from tank 30 into discharge chamber 46 until the pressure of the air discharged through nozzle 20a is adequate to properly atomize the fuel. Thus a substantially uniform flow of fuel drawn from the chamber 46 is provided by theV induction method. Induction of fuel will be arrested promptly upon decrease of the air pressure below the requisite degree and will therefore be cut oif very promptly when the circuit through the motor is broken. It will be noted that the fuel nozzle |8a is positioned considerably above the fuel level of the tank 30 and slightly above the level of the discharge passage 56a leading out of discharge chamber 46.

From the foregoiing description, it will be seen that I have provided a very eilclent and economical oil burner construction which may be readily .installed in most furnaces commercially sold at this time and which will produce a very efcient and thorough fuel combustion.

- It will be noted that in the atomization of the liquid fuel a small strong jet of air is directed at an acute intersecting'an'gle against the tip of the fuel nozzle lIlia., thereby producing a suction uponl the fuel conduit and thoroughly atomizing the induced fuel immediately adjacent the tip of the fuel nozzle. There can be no accumulation or dripping of fuel from nozzle |80, since the air jet strikes'the` nozzle tip and drives off the liquid before it 'can accumulate. It will also be apparent that a very thorough mixture of the atomized fuel and air takes place immediately adjacent the tip of nozzle Isa, whereby combustion extends from the nozzle tip outwardly axially of the burner casing in the form of an elongated small flame. Substantially complete combustion is effected adjacent the nozzle, while with gun type oil burners a substantial amount of the fuel is not atomized or mixed with air until the discharged fuel and air have struck a bale or wall of the fire box removed some distance from the nozzle.

Attention is called to the emciency of the burner adjustments and the ease with which the same may be made. The shutter cap 25 mounted on the exterior shell of the burner casing regulates the amount of air supplied to the burning fuel as a result of natural draft. The strong draft of air past the nozzle 26 induced primarily by the discharge of air under pressure from nozzle 26 but substantially increased by the 'ow of air caused by the flue action of the furnace has, of course, an effect upon the induction of fuel through nozzle I8a. In other words, assuming the needle valve 26 for directly controlling the fuel supply to be set, when additional air is admitted by further opening shutter cap 25, a proportionately greater amount of fuel will be induced due to the increase in draft brought about by ow of air created by natural draft. Extensive combustion tests have been made and it has been found that when the burner is properly set for ecient combustion with the cap substantially closed, the combustion will have substantially the same efficiency when the cap is moved to substantially full open position.

The proportionate discharge of fuel may, of course, be easily varied by adjusting the needle valve 26 through .the manipulation of the handle 26a conveniently disposed through the outer end of the air regulating cap 25. A co-operation of the induced and atomized fuel supply with the air regulating means in the burner shell thus provides a very efficient burner adjustment.

It further will be seen that with the induced or suction-operated flow of fuel in my burner, the fuel nozzle lila will be provided with a relatively large orice in contrast to the orice of a pressure-operated fuel nozzle. Consequently my fuel nozzle will not be obstructed by cheap and heavier grades of hydrocarbon fuel and I have successfully utilized undistilled hydro-carbone with my device.

It will be understood that various changes in the form, details and arrangement of parts may be made, all without departing from the scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:-

1. In a liquid fuel burner, a small bore fuel nozzle, a second small bor-e nozzle connected with a source of air under pressure and disposed in juxtaposition to said fuel nozzle to produce a cross jet andsuction Veffect thereupon, a gravity actuated fuel supply anda fuel feed controlling unit, comprising a feed chamber, temperature responsive meansfor controlling the discharge ofl fuel from said supply to said chamber, said chamber having a discharge outlet adjacent its upper end, a conduit connecting said outlet and said. fuel nozzle, and float controlled means in said chamber for maintaining the level ofliquid fuel considerably below the level of the highest point in said draft will induce a flow of air therethrough,

said conduit and'rbelow the fuel nozzle whereby flow of fuel through said nozzle will be shut ci when the induction effect from the other nozzle falls below a certain point. l

2. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein the fuel feed controlling unit comprises a single chamber or reservoir, and wherein said temperature responsive means includes automaticallyV actuated valve means at the upper end of said chamber and said float controlled means is slidably mounted within said reservoir. Y Y

3. In an oil burner for use with a furnace having natural draft, a relatively large air conduit mounted in a wall of said furnace whereby said conduit extending into said furnacek and tapering toward its forward or delivery end, a small bore fuel nozzle connected with a source of fuel and Idisposed longitudinally 'of said air conduit and directed forwardly and downwardly ing natural draft, a relatively large air conduitv Y mounted in a wallof said furnace whereby said draft will induce a ow of air therethrough, said conduit converging' toward its inner and delivery end, a very small bore air nozzle disposed longitudinally of said air conduit and terminating at a point beyond the inner end thereof and con-V Vles* nected with asourceof airsupply under pressure,VV

and a very small bore fuel'nozzle connected with a source of fuel and alsoextending substantially longitudinallyV of said air conduit and disposed in juxtaposition lto said air nozzle beyond Vthe.

inner end of said conduit whereby fuel will be induced and atomized, said air conduit being so disposed with Vreference to said nozzles that induct-ionY of. air through said Yconduit Vwill be assisted :by said atomizing action and the incoming air will surround and support the flame produced. 1

Y Y 30 UDE P.V UDESEN,Y Y 

